A brief chronology of virtual reality: from laboratory systems to ubiquitous spatial computing

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) developed through the progressive integration of displays, tracking, computation, interaction, and content rather than through a single device lineage. This article first establishes a systems-oriented vocabulary for virtual environments, immersion and presence, sensory feedback, and interactivity. It then presents two complementary chronologies: a general history of consequential VR developments from 1916 through 25 September 2026, and a focused history of ubiquitous VR design from 1991 through the same cutoff date. The latter follows the transition from assembled laboratory systems to commodity sensing, mobile displays, standalone headsets, mixed-reality platforms, and AI-mediated spatial computing. Together, the chronologies show that ubiquity can no longer be measured by portability or component count alone. It depends on a coherent low-latency perception-action loop and on whether the surrounding platform is deployable, interoperable, inclusive, safe, and trustworthy.

36 pages, 2 figures, 15 tables. Substantially revised and expanded version of arXiv:1911.09605. Retains the systems-oriented history of VR from the original paper and its focus on ubiquitous VR. Extends both chronologies through 25 September 2026 and comprehensively updates the organization, terminology, sources, and discussion